Ladle nozzle construction



Dec. 30, 1941. R- H, HARVEY 2,268,482

LADLE NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 4, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 30,1941. R. H. HARVEY LADLE NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May4, 1940 @ase/er Memo ineke-r.

Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LADLE NOZZLECONSTRUCTION Robert Harold Harvey, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 4, 1940, Serial No. 333,331

8 Claims.

I'his invention relates to improvements in a ladle nozzle construction,and more particularly to a nozzle and valve control construction for usein connection with ladles from which molten metal is poured, theinvention being highly desirable for use in connection with ladles ofrelatively large size such as those capable of holding a number of tonsof molten metal, although the invention will have other uses andpurposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Heretofore, it has been customary in the pouring of molten metal fromladies, to utilize a ladle having a nozzle in the bottom thereof whichdoes not project any material distance out of the ladle and the pouringthrough the nozzle was controlled by a stopper in the nature of atapering plug disposed inside the ladle. This stopper was in turncontrolled by lever and linkage arrangements, one rod of which extendedentirely down through the ladle and its contents to the stopper, and theremainder of which was on the outer side of the ladle in position to beoperated to remove and replace the inside stopper. With large ladlesespecially, it is not feasible to have molten metal contact metallicparts, and consequently it was necessary to cover the stopper rod insidethe ladle with refractory sleeves, which sleeves, as well as the nozzle,and in most instances the stopper had to be replaced after each pouringoperation from the ladle. Such replacement not only of theabove-mentioned elements, but also of a portion of the bottom lining ofthe ladle was objectionably expensive. In addition, extreme difculty washad in properly controlling the out flow of molten metal through thenozzle if the stopper did not seat properly, or entered the nozzle andfused, it was practically impossible to stop the flow of metal whendesired. Difficulty may further be appreciated when it is rememberedthat from a large ladle, molten metal is poured at varying speeds duringthe single operation so that it is necessary to have the nozzle onlypartially open at some times, fully open at others, and completelyclosed when desired. If the stopper stuck or became otherwise out ofline, such as being burned by the molten metal in the ladle, the pouringoperation was manifestly dangerous to the workmen from leaking andsplashing molten metal.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the presentinvention to provide a nozzle and valve construction for a ladle whereinthe nozzle projects well without the ladle, and all the valve parts aredisposed outside kof the ladle in positions to be readily accessible,easily and accurately operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction for aladle, in which the nozzle is especially designed to prevent splashingof molten metal, and with which nozzle accurate stopper valve means areassociated capable of cleanly and instantly controlling or varying theow of metal.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a ladlenozzle construction in which a valve of substantially permanentcharacter is utilized, the valve having a refractory lining which needbe replaced only after a number of repeated pourings, while theremainder of the valve construction need not be replaced except as aresult of ordinary wear of the parts.

It is also a feature of the invention to provide a ladle nozzleconstruction equipped with a stopper valve having a knife edge cut-offarrangement so that the flow of molten metal through the nozzle may beaccurately and readily controlled.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of anovel nozzle construction for a ladle from which molten metal is poured,which nozzle may be preformed and is provided with a refractory liningof higher heat-resisting characteristics than the refractory bodyportion of the nozzle, so that while it may be necessary to remove andreset the nozzle after pouring, it is not necessary in all instances toreplace the nozzle with a new one, but repeated operations may be hadwith the same nozzle as long as it remains in satisfactory condition.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a ladle nozzle andvalve construction, wherein the stopper valve is automatically cleansedof' molten metal during its operation, so that there will be noaccumulation of molten metal at any time affecting the accurateoperation of the stopper valve and its accurate association with thepouring end of the nozzle.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a ladlenozzle having a substantially spherical pouring head or a pouring headof arcuate contour, with a stopper valve complementally shaped and whichaccurately seats against the pouring head at all times to provide acorrect and proper control of the outflow of molten metal through thenozzle.

Still another feature of the invention is th provision of an extremelyeconomical and accurately functioning nozzle and valve control formoltenvmetal ladles, the invention needing few replacements, beinghighly durable, and economical in use.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantagesof the present invention have been above pointed out, others will becomeapparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational View of a ladle equipped with anozzle and valve construction embodying principles of the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View takensubstantially as indicated by the section line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the structure seen inFigure 1; Y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary central vertical sec.- tional view, with partsin elevation, taken through the bottom portion of the ladle and thenozzle and valve construction, showing the stopper valve in closedposition; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the same character as Figure4, but showing the stopper valve in fully open position.

As shown on the drawings:

The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is shown inconnection with a foundry ladle I which, as seen best in Figures 2, 4and 5, includes an outer metallic wall 2, and an inner refractory lining3 of fire brick, re clay, or equivalent material. Inside the ladle, alining section 4 is provided around my novel nozzle 5 the inner end ofwhich may be formed concave as indicated at 6 to facilitate ilow ofmetal through the nozzle. Of course, the floor lining of the ladleslopes gently in all directions towards the nozzle.

The nozzle 5 is provided with a bore or opening I therethrough dened bya lining 8 which is of a higher heat-resisting character than therefractory body portion of the nozzle. This lining 8 may be of agraphite compound or equivalent material and is preferably baked in thenozzle when the refractory body portion is hardened.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5 it will be seen that the upper portionof the nozzle is tapered somewhat as indicated at 9 so as to have alocking fit within the ladle liner section 4. A goodly portion of thenozzle projects without the ladle, this projecting portion including aneck I0 of a greater taper than the part 9, which terminates in apouring head II, preferably spherical as illustrated or of an arcuatecontour. It will be noted that the lining 8 covers a portion of thepouring head II at the mouth of the nozzle, as indicated at I2 tothereby prolong the life of the nozzle. The pouring head II ispreferably of less diameter than the upper portion 9 of the nozzle, sothat the nozzle may readily be seated in position in the liner part 4and through the opening in the outer Wall of the ladle. The nozzle ispreferably manufactured just as illustrated, and is then inserted in aladle when desired.

In order to insure accurate retention of the nozzle in proper position,a removable metallic collar I3 is applied around the neck portion I0,this collar being preferably formed in two halfportions which may beheld together by removable bolts I4 as illustrated in Figure 2, orequivalent-means permitting ready attachment and removal. The collar isshaped complementally to the neck portion IU so as to intimatelysurround it and the upper portion of the collar is provided with aflan-ge socket I5 for interlocking engagement over the horizontal leg ofan angle support I6 attached to the outside of the ladle. This anglesupport I6 may, if so desired, be in the nature of a ring, or in thenature of a plurality of segmental brackets as may be deemed mostfeasible. With the placing of the collar I3 in position, and with theinterlocked engagement with the supporting member I6, the nozzle will befirmly maintained in position.

Also attached to the outside of the ladle I is a frame I1 having anoutstanding pair of ears or lugs I8-I8 at one end, and another pair ofears or lugs I9-I9 at the other end. To the lugs I8--I8, a stopper valve20 is pivotally connected as indicated at 2 I.

This stopper valve 20 is shaped complementally to the pouring head II soas to intimately seat against the pouring head. The stopper valve isalso provided with a lining 22 of a high heat-resisting character andwhich may be of the same material as the lining 8 in the nozzle. Thelining for the stopper valve 20 may be preformed and readily inserted inthe stopper valve, being retained therein in proper position by anysuitable means. Both the stopper valve and its lining are provided withsubstantially a knife edge 23 on that side nearest the opening throughthe nozzle. With reference more particularly to vFigure 5 it will beseen that the edge 23 will function as a knife edge in cutting off aflow of molten metal, and it will further be noted that when the stopperis moved so as to provide a fractional opening through the nozzle, theedge 23 will be in keeping with the walls of the nozzle opening so as tocause no splashing of molten metal. On the opposite side thereof, thestopper valve and its lining are provided with an edge surface 24complemental to the aforesaid collar I3 so that this edge Willintimately abut the collar as seen in Figure 5 when the stopper valve ismoved to fully open position.

'I'he stopper valve may .be moved by mechanism to be later describedfrom the fully closed position seen in Figure 4 to the fully openedposition seen in Figure 5. During all of this movement, the stoppervalve nestles closely over the arcuate pouring head II of the nozzle,and the cup-like shape of the stopper valve effectively prevents leakageor the flow of metal through the stopper to an undesired extent.

Of course, molten metal has a tendency to accumulate upon whateverrelatively cold surface it may contact, and consequently there would bea tendency for an accumulation of molten metal to form in somewhat of aband of the width of the nozzle opening inside the stopper valve. Toprevent such occurrence, a scraper member 25 is provided. This member isin the nature of a iiat tapering finger depending from the aforesaidcollar I3 and intimately engaging the surface of the pouring head I I.With reference to Figure 4, it will be seen that the scraper finger 25gradually decreases in thickness from the point of attachment to thecollar to its termination in a very ne edge near the opening through thenozzle. The thickness of the scraper 25 is not suicient to impede theclosing of the nozzle by the stopper valve. Each movement of the stoppervalve to open position effects a scraping of the lining of the valve sothat any molten metal tending to adhere to this lining will be scrapedofi and dropped into the same mold or other container being lled fromthe nozzle.

Actuating means for the stopper valve include a lug 26 depending fromthe bottom of the valve with which one end of a dual link 21 ispivotally connected as at 28. The other end of this dual link ispivotally connected as at 29 to a control disc or wheel 30 which isjournalled between the aforesaid lugs IS-IS outstanding from the frameIl, on shaft 3|. Another link or lever 32 is pivoted at 33 to anotherpoint on the control disc 30. This lever 32 may also be in the nature ofa dual link as seen in Figure 3. rIhe other end of the dual link 32 ispivoted as at 34 to one end of an actuating handle 35, an intermediatepoint of which handle is fulcrumed as at 36 between a pair ofoutstanding ears or lugs 31-31 attached to the ladle I. It will be notedthat the pivotal connections 29 and 33 to the control disc 30 are notdisposed at diametrically opposite points but are disposed less than 180apart, so as to prevent the actuating mechanism for the stopper valvefrom ever becoming in a dead center position.

In operation, the present invention is extremely simple and positive. Itis simply necessary to attach the lugs 37-31, the frame Il, and thesupporting member I6 to the ladle, and either before or after suchattachment connect the various operating parts as above outlined. Theseattached parts together with the stopper valve and its actuatingmechanism may be left substantially permanently associated with theladle. The nozzle may readily be inserted in the ladle as aboveexplained, and the collar I3 ltogether with the scraper linger attachedaround the neck portion of the nozzle in interlocked engagement with thesupporting member I6 on the ladle. When it is desired to pour moltenmetal from the ladle, it is a simple expedient to manually actuate thehandle and swing the stopper valve from the position seen in Figure 4 toa partially open position, or to a fully open position as seen in Figure5. In any position, there will be a clean flow of metal through thenozzle, free of splash, and the amount of metal flowing may beaccurately controlled, since the stopper valve is always in intimatecontact with the pouring head of the nozzle and is automaticallycleansed or kept free of accumulated metal at all times.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a novel nozzleand valve construction for association with a foundry ladle or the like.It will be noted that the stopper valve is of substantially permanentconstruction, only requiring a change of lining at infrequent intervals.It will also be noted that the nozzle itself may be used repeatedlyunder most conditions, and need not be replaced by a new nozzle afterevery pouring operation. It is further apparent that with my invention,accuracy in pouring is provided, the safety to the workmen is at a veryhigh degree owing to the elimination of leaking or splashing moltenmetal and the establishment of absolute control over the ow of metalthrough the nozzle, that the invention may be economically manufacturedand used and is extremely durable.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit thepatent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a ladle nozzle construction, a nozzle insertable in a ladle so asto project materially below the ladle, said nozzle being hollow andlined with a graphite compound which lining extends over the lowerportion of the exposed end of the nozzle, said nozzle having a taperingexposed neck portion terminating in a ball-like pouring end, a collararound said neck portion and engageable with the bottom of the ladle, atapering scraper carried by said collar and extending intimately overthe ball-like end to a point adjacent the nozzle opening, said scraperbeing of a width not less than the diameter of the hollow through thenozzle, a stopper valve curved complementally to the ball-like end andcarrying a graphite compound lining, said stopper valve being movablearound the ball-like end over the nozzle opening and away therefrom oversaid scraper, said stopper valve having a knife edge on the side nextthe nozzle opening and the other side being beveled to seat against saidcollar when the valve is moved to fully open position, and lever meansto swing said valve to open and closed positions.

2. In a nozzle construction for a ladle, a hollow nozzle for insertionin a ladle for molten metal, said nozzle having a ball-like pouring end,and a stopper valve curved to t said ball-like end and swingable overand away from the opening in the nozzle.

3. In a nozzle construction for a ladle, a hollow nozzle for insertionin a ladle for molten metal, and a stopper valve slidable over thepouring end of said nozzle over and away from the nozzle opening, andscraper means positioned for slidable contact against the stopper valveto clean molten metal off said stopper valve as the valve is moved toopen position.

4. In a nozzle construction for a ladle for molten metal, a hollownozzle for insertion in a ladle, a curvature pouring head on said nozzleoutside the ladle, and a stopper valve shaped complementally to saidcurvate pouring head for slidable contact therewith over and away fromthe pouring opening in said head, said valve having an edge sloping soas to substantially parallel the axis of the pouring opening when inpartially open position.

5. In a nozzle construction for a ladle for molten metal, a hollowunitary-nozzle insertable as a single piece from the inside of a ladleto extend through the ladle wall, and a stopper valve outside the ladleand movable over and away from the pouring opening in said nozzle andarranged to leave the pouring opening plainly visible below the planethereof when the valve is moved away therefrom.

6. In a nozzle construction for a ladle for molten metal, a hollownozzle for insertion in a ladle to extend through a wall of the ladle, aball-like pouring head on said nozzle, a scraper overlying a part ofsaid pouring head to one side of the pouring opening, and a curvatecup-like stopper valve shaped to intimately iit over said pouring headand scraper and movable over the scraper to open and close the pouringopening.

7. In a nozzle construction for a ladle, a holloW nozzle for insertionin a ladle to extend through a wall of the ladle, a sloping neck portionon said nozzle outside the ladle, a complementally shaped removablecollar around said neck portion to hold the nozzle in place, said nozzlehaving a pouring head beyond the neck portion, a scraper carried by saidcollar and extending over said pouring head, and a stopper valve movableover said scraper to open and close the pouring opening in said head.

8. In a pouring nozzle construction for a ladle, a hollow nozzle forinsertion in a ladle for molten metal, said nozzle being of heatresisting material and having a lining of material of even greater heatresisting quality, and a stopper valve also having a heat resistinglining movable over the pouring end of said nozzle to open and close thepouring mouth of the nozzle.

ROBERT HAROLD HARVEY.

